Chem/Bio Test and Evaluation

GEOMET’s Laboratory Operations include a certified chemical surety laboratory in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Fully staffed and equipped, the laboratory is designed to meet a comprehensive range of requirements for sample handling, analysis and storage.

GEOMET’s laboratories are among only a handful of commercial facilities authorized by the U.S. Government to store, handle and conduct testing with agents that require rigorous safety and security programs.

The Chemical Defense Laboratory Division has a declaration to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) as an R & D facility and thereby operates its CDL as a Schedule 1 Facility in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Treaty. The Defense Security Service (DSS) has designated/categorized CDLD’s laboratory facility as upgradeable to a SECRET-level facility clearance when required for the conduct of classified contract activities.

GEOMET supports the joint services Life Sciences and Chemical Agent Test Facilities located at Dugway Proving Ground, UT. These lab facilities are responsible for T&E of all types of CB defense items to assess their operational performance capabilities and limitations against CB agents. Our support programs include the evaluation of CB detection technologies; testing to determine contamination/decon. survivability of various materials and equipment and decon/neutralization solutions; PPE assessments; collective protection analysis; and a wide range of developmental testing and applied research related to tactics, techniques, and procedures associated with CB defensive technologies.

Testing & Evaluation Services

For more than 30 years, GEOMET has provided laboratory materials testing services to the U.S. Government and to private industry, especially developers of chemical protective clothing and equipment. The Laboratories provide clients with cost-effective testing and analysis in support of operational requirements involving: (1) evaluation of novel detection and identification platforms, (2) evaluation of agent decontamination/destruction techniques, (3) analysis of environmental samples and food for the presence of agents, and (4) testing of personal protective systems for component survivability. The Laboratories are also capable of synthesizing agent consistent with Department of Commerce Chemical Weapons Convention Compliance Requirements

Quick Turnaround Capability

The Chemical Defense Laboratory normally operates on a 19-hours-a-day schedule, which allows for extended test times to better ensure that its customers’ project schedules are met. However, during Operation Desert Storm, for example, in support of U.S. Air Force’s rapid production scale-up, testing and delivery schedule for the fielding of Air-crew and Ground-crew chemical protective ensembles, Chemical Defense Laboratory Division expanded to a 7-day work-week to accommodate the acceptance testing services necessary to meet the rapid fielding schedule.

Pre-Test Consultation Services

For clients requiring assistance in setting up test programs or defining special test requirements, GEOMET’s Laboratory staff offers client-specific, pre-test consultations to assist in defining test objectives, clarifying performance criteria/requirements, and selecting or customizing test methods and procedures. All standard testing is covered by current standard operating procedures (SOPs), but Senior Laboratory staff members also work with clients to develop specialized test plans tailored to meet their specific technical needs.

Lab Services

The Chemical Laboratory provides vital and proactive support to numerous private industry and Department of Defense Chemical/Biological (CB) programs.

Our testing services typically include:

• Acceptance testing of chemical/biological protective use items, including coated/laminated materials, chemical protective suits, chemical agent detectors, and liquid agent detector paper
• Analysis of environmental samples for the presence of chemical and biological agents, chemical agent precursors, and their degradation products
• Development of methods to support chemical and biological agent analytical requirements
• Development of testing methodologies to more effectively evaluate the protective characteristics of permeable, impermeable, and reactive materials
• Digital photographic documentation
• Quality assurance testing of manufactured materials used in chemical/biological protective clothing and equipment
• Stockpile surveillance of individual protective equipment and clothing
• Support for development and evaluation of chemical and biological decontamination systems
• Testing and evaluation of chemical and biological agent detection systems
• Testing and evaluation of developmental materials for chemical and biological defense
• Testing and evaluation of individual protective and life support systems for chemical and biological defense
• Testing and evaluation of material degradation following chemical exposure and decontamination
• Testing and evaluation of NBC-hardened equipment and systems